Need VLM spectator help for newbie watchers please, special occassion.

Hi all, I'm doing the London marathon for charadeeee in a few weeks and for the first time I have family coming to watch, this is rare as they work weekends but have booked this off ages ago.

I want to make sure all goes well with them watching so they know exactly where to go etc. 2 of the party are elderly but like a walk but Id like to keep it as little as possible.

Ideally they'd like to see me pass 3 times, I've stated tower bridge at mile 12 as a good one, maybe the first as they are staying at a hotel near the London eye in the same location. Then obviously near the end too maybe corner where Buckingham palace is mile 26. But the 3rd spot not sure. Or perhaps mile 14 then they cross the road if they can (anyone know this) and see me at mile 22 or something then get to mile 25/6 quickly (best way taxi or tube? if tube which one) how long will tube take to get to near finish line mile 25 etc.

So what im trying to do is give them step by step instructions so they dont get lost and can get to each point easily, they can if need be jump in a taxi between spots as there will be 5 of them. I'd prefer to avoid tubes etc as they will get confused I know.

Can any London dwellers help with suggestions thanks, see map below and also link to interactive map. I'll probably be doing 11 minute miles and cross the start line about 10.15am.

Its a special occasion with grandparents coming so just want to make it a great day for them.

They could go to somewhere in Docklands, then get the train to Limehouse and see you go down the High Way towards Tower then hop on a train to the finish.

Last year we got DLR to Cutty Sark at just before mile 7. Then instead of getting on the nearest DLR station we walk to Depford Bridge as to avoid the hour wait to get on the nearest station. We then got train to Canary Wharf and then Limehouse. Hubby and son went home and I then walked to Mile 22 to see my club mates.

The best idea is to stay close to tube stations and the quieter parts of the course.

The area around Canary Wharf (Canary Wharf, Mudchute, Westferry stations) is busier than it used to be but is still fairly comfortable for spectating.

The meet and greet area at the end will be a scrum so be prepared for that.

The bottom line is that it's tough getting around for even fit, healthy intrepid people with tons of patience so it's going to be tough on anyone elderly, especially if it's hot, cold or very wet. If you want to be fair on them it's best to keep them away from the very busy areas, even if it means seeing less of you.

walk to lewishamtrain to charing crosswalk down whitehall to Westminster (mile 25 ish)

I usually get there to see the elite men come in if I leave at 10, but the race is slightly different start time wise this year so bear that in mind.

Now it would be possible to add in a short detour to mile 24 ish by getting off at charing cross and walking back to embankment down villiers street and then up whitehall place bck to whitehall. Embankment is busy. Whitehall is usually not too bad, they would need to go right to the end to see you but its pretty good views normally.

Also they can then wait around for you as you come out of the finish area in Horse Guards Parade, up the steps past the Foreign office on King Charles Street

Mark, I've never done it since I'm always running but my family use the Shadwell station and the underpass must be almost in a direct line from there (Mr Minni doesn't believe in walking a step further than he has to!). So they stand at about 13.5m, then back to 22 on the other side. Not sure about the Taxi situation but bear in mind there are thousands of people all with the same plan.

Your family will love it. My daughter is missing it this year as it would mean two days off school and she's just about to sit her AS levels, and she's gutted.

Check out the Thames Clipper boat service for travel around on the day. It's ideal for transporting elderly relatives as it won't be affected by the road closures, it has step free access on and off the boats and you can get a cup of tea on board. It's a bit more expensive than the Tube, but you can pay with an Oyster card.

Just looking at that now, we are staying near London eye so they could get a boat from there to nearest point to mile 13.5 then cross over to mile 22, its just that last part getting back to finish, its really important they get to finish before me to see me pass, anywhere from mile 25 to 26.2.

ok in theory they could get boat from London eye to tower bridge, walk a bit to mile 13.5 see me pass then go underpass to see me mile 22 then get boat back to London eye and walk to mall finish area to see me pass.

Theoretically, it's a 20 minute journey on public transport from Limehouse (the DLR and rail stations are near the 13.5/22M points) to Westminster (which is one of the nearest stations to the finish). The problem is that it's not clear from the TFL website (tfl.gov.uk) which tube stations will be entry/exit only and no-one can predict how long the queues will be! I would echo the comments about the finish being difficult to navigate on race day and so although they have about 45/50 minutes after you pass them at mile 22 to get to the finish, which should be enough, in reality it almost certainly won't be. It might be best to have your supporters in 2 groups: one group can do the mile 13.5/mile 22 point and one can be at the finish to be sure they see you.

Mark, if the most important thing is seeing you near the finish then I'd ditch waiting for you at 22 miles. Unless you're walking from there they won't have much time to get there and find a spectator spot before you go past.

I know you wanted to avoid the tube, but if they're staying near London Eye they could stick to the jubilee line: waterloo to canada water (9 miles), on to canary wharf (19), back to westminster (25). That's what my family have done for the last few years, anyway.

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